Alumni student Alex Burte (‘06) has come back to TNSM to offer an after-school fencing club this spring.

February 12, 2019

Alex Burte came to The New School Montessori last week to introduce elementary students to the sport of fencing. In addition to the physical challenges, requiring balance, speed, strength and grace, Alex explained that fencing also requires strategic acumen and has been described as “chess at 100 miles an hour.” In fencing (as in chess) opponents make moves, block moves and redirect attacks to different locations.

Alex has been competing in fencing competitions for years. In high school, he competed on the national circuit in North American Cups and the Junior Olympics. He received offers for athletic scholarships at multiple schools, finally choosing the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. Alex lettered and fenced all four years with UNC’s varsity fencing team and continued to compete in Division I national and collegiateevents. Alex moved back to Cincinnati after completing majors in psychology and philosophy with a minor in art history.

When Alex returned in 2017, he took a job as the director of membership and programming at the Isaac M. Wise Temple and reconnected with his Cincinnati fencing coach. Alex has coached students at the Queen City Fencers Club for many years and is now the owner and head coach there. Alex is looking forward to teaching Cincinnati’s next generation of fencers and is excited to bring the experience of fencing to New School Montessori students.

When Alex looks back at his time at TNSM, he credits his New School education for preparing him academically for the rigors of Walnut Hills High School where he excelled in AP classes. Alex said, “The New School’s emphasis on the importance of reading, researching, writing and having intelligent discussions prepared me for high school and beyond.”

Upcoming Events

Music and dance combine in this event to create an enjoyable evening of student work in the performing arts. Teachers Melissa Robinson and Jeanne Speier, have been leading the children in preparation for this event.

Music and dance combine in this event to create an enjoyable morning of student work in the performing arts. Teachers Melissa Robinson and Jeanne Speier, have been leading the children in preparation for this event.

Children in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade spend a portion of each day this week taking a section of the TerraNova Test. This is the only standardized test given during the year. Taking the TerraNova serves as a practical life tool but also identifies student performance toward mastery of specific content objectives. It’s important to note that children’s academic progress is based on a number of factors that include, but are not limited to, the TerraNova test alone.